The Victimhood Cult: How Social Justice Poisoned a Generation

The social justice movement has sold itself as a force for good, a righteous crusade to uplift the oppressed and right historical wrongs. But beneath its glossy veneer lies a more troubling reality: it’s not empowering people; it’s creating a generation of victims. The language of social justice, rooted in grievance and perpetual oppression, teaches people to see themselves not as capable individuals but as helpless pawns at the mercy of systemic forces.

In the world of social justice, everything is a zero-sum game. If someone succeeds, it must have come at someone else’s expense. If you’re struggling, it’s not because of personal choices or circumstances but because of some nebulous “system” designed to keep you down. This worldview strips individuals of agency and responsibility. Why work hard or take risks if failure can always be blamed on oppression?

Take college campuses, for example, where “oppression olympics” have become a competitive sport. Students are encouraged to catalog their grievances and sort themselves into hierarchies of victimhood. The more marginalized identities you claim, the higher your social status. Merit and achievement? Outdated concepts rooted in “privilege.” What really matters now is how oppressed you can convince everyone you are.

Even worse, this victim mentality is seeping into the broader culture. A recent poll from Pew Research found that younger generations are more likely to view life outcomes as determined by societal factors rather than individual effort. That’s no accident. When you’re inundated with the idea that the deck is always stacked against you, it’s easy to give up before you even start.

And let’s not forget the irony of the movement itself. Social justice warriors preach inclusion and equity while simultaneously vilifying entire groups based on their skin color or gender. White men are automatically cast as villains, while minorities and women are told their lives are little more than a series of battles against oppression. The left has replaced Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of judging people by the content of their character with a divisive ideology that prioritizes identity over humanity.

The social justice movement doesn’t want equality; it wants division. By perpetuating the myth that life is a constant battle against systemic oppression, it discourages self-improvement and fosters resentment. Real justice isn’t about coddling or grievance-mongering. It’s about creating opportunities for everyone to succeed based on merit and hard work. If we continue down the path of victimhood, the only thing we’ll achieve is a society where no one takes responsibility, and everyone is too busy blaming others to get anything done.